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Kierra stood in front of the bathroom mirror, eyeing the small vial of hormone medication sitting on the counter. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the nerves that had been building over the last few days. She was in the thick of the hormone injection stage, and each day seemed to bring a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
"One more day down," Kierra whispered to herself, pulling the syringe from the kit.
Her hands were steady as she prepared the injection, but her mind was swirling with a million thoughts. Tasha was out of town, off in Atlanta to sing at Bishop Murphy's church, and while she was proud of her wife, it was hard not having her there. This was one of the most important steps in their IVF journey, and she missed Tasha's reassuring presence.
She pushed the needle into her skin, wincing slightly at the sting. After injecting the medication, Kierra gently rubbed the injection site and glanced at her phone, wondering if Tasha had called or sent a message. She hadn't heard from her since the early morning, and it made the day feel just a little longer.
"Okay, all done," Kierra muttered, closing the kit and washing her hands. She wiped her forehead, glancing again at her phone. Just then, her mom, Karen, knocked lightly on the doorframe.
"Ready to go?" Karen asked, her voice soft but encouraging.
Kierra smiled and nodded, grateful that her mom was there. Even though Tasha couldn't make it, having Karen by her side was a comfort she needed.
"Yeah, let's do this," Kierra replied, grabbing her bag. She slipped her phone into her pocket, knowing Tasha would FaceTime in for the appointment. It wasn't the same as having her physically there, but it was better than nothing.
As they made their way to the car, Kierra felt a mix of emotions—excitement, nervousness, and a little fear of the unknown. The past few days had been full of physical and emotional ups and downs as the hormone injections did their work. Her body felt different—more sensitive, almost foreign in a way—but it was all part of the process. She was trying to stay positive, focusing on the bigger picture: their future child.
When they arrived at the fertility clinic, Kierra checked in at the front desk, her mom offering a reassuring smile. The waiting room was quiet, the usual hum of anxiety lingering in the air as other couples sat waiting for their own appointments. Kierra fidgeted with her phone, tapping it lightly against her leg.
"I'm really glad you're here, Mommy," Kierra said, glancing over at Karen. "I wish Tasha could be here, but... this helps."
Karen reached over and squeezed her hand. "I'm always here for you, sweetie. Tasha wishes she could be here, too. I know how much this means to both of you, and I'm proud of you for handling all of this so well."
Before long, Kierra's name was called, and they were led back to Dr. Adams' office. Kierra's heart raced as they walked down the hallway, the reality of the moment settling in. This appointment would let them know how her body was responding to the hormone injections—whether everything was progressing as it should.
"Good morning, Kierra," Dr. Adams greeted, her voice calm and professional. She smiled warmly at Karen as well, nodding in her direction. "How are we feeling today? How are the injections going?"
"They're okay," Kierra replied, taking a deep breath. "A little sore, but manageable."
"That's to be expected," Dr. Adams said. "Today, we'll do an ultrasound to see how your ovaries are responding. We'll also check your hormone levels and make sure everything is on track."
Kierra nodded, feeling her stomach twist with a mix of excitement and anxiety. As Dr. Adams prepared for the ultrasound, Kierra quickly pulled out her phone and dialed Tasha's number.
Within seconds, Tasha's face popped up on the screen, her smile soft and reassuring.
"Hey, baby," Tasha said, her voice warm through the phone's speakers. "I'm here. I love you."
"I love you too," Kierra whispered, her eyes stinging slightly with unshed tears. She hadn't realized just how much she missed Tasha until she saw her face.
Karen sat beside her, squeezing her hand gently, giving Kierra the silent strength she needed.
"Alright, Kierra, we're going to take a look," Dr. Adams said as she applied the gel for the ultrasound. "Let's see how your ovaries are responding to the medication."
Kierra took a deep breath, keeping her eyes focused on the monitor as the doctor began the scan. The room was quiet except for the gentle hum of the machine, and Kierra's heart pounded in her chest as she waited.
"Hmm," Dr. Adams murmured, her eyes scanning the screen. "Everything looks really good so far. Your follicles are developing nicely."
Kierra let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding, her shoulders sagging with relief.
Tasha's voice came through the phone. "That's great, babe. I knew you were doing amazing."
Dr. Adams continued to explain the results, detailing the size and number of follicles. "We'll need to monitor you closely over the next few days, but if everything continues to progress this way, we should be ready for the egg retrieval soon."
Kierra nodded, her heart lifting slightly. "Thank you, Dr. Adams."
Karen smiled, brushing a hand over Kierra's shoulder. "You're doing great, sweetie."
After the appointment, Kierra and Karen left the clinic, Kierra still holding her phone up so Tasha could stay on the line.
"So, what now?" Tasha asked, her voice steady despite the distance. "What's next?"
"We keep doing the injections for a few more days, then they'll do the retrieval," Kierra explained, feeling a sense of relief that things were moving forward.
Tasha sighed softly. "I wish I could be there with you."
"You're here," Kierra said, glancing down at her phone. "I feel you with me, even if you're not in the room."
"I'll be home soon," Tasha promised. "And we'll get through this together."
Kierra smiled, feeling a little lighter. "I know we will."
They hung up after a few more words of encouragement, and Kierra slipped her phone into her pocket, turning to her mom. "Thanks for coming with me today, Mom."
Karen wrapped her arm around Kierra's shoulders as they walked to the car. "Of course, honey. You know I'm here for you both, no matter what."
As they drove home, Kierra's mind wandered to the future—the retrieval, the embryo transfer, and, hopefully, the day they would finally hold their baby in their arms. It was a long road, but she was ready to face it, knowing that with Tasha by her side, and her family's support, they could get through anything.
